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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: running lights thread
Posted By: M.Hamilton In Response To: running lights thread (risto)
Date: Saturday, 16 December 2000, at 12:28 p.m.
: hi,
: Having read the posts in this thread it seems to me that 3 different issues
: have been mixed up here: 1. what should a person who has poor hearing do
: to ensure he/she is seen when paddling at night. This is a special and
: hazardous case as us with good hearing can normally prepare to show lights
: early enough but he can not.Unfortunately there are no special exemptions that I am aware of for hearing impaired paddlers. While I understand the concern, I think the rules do provide sufficient safety, provided the paddler uses good judgement. This person could mount a combo light if the chose per Rule 25. But the use of a strobe would tell every knowledgeable skipper out there that there was very likely someone in need of assistance, and you'd have more boat company than perhaps you'd want. If I were hearing impaired I would be very cautious in the dark, staying near the shore, no crossings in traffic areas etc. I might also paddle with a friend. Another remote possibility, but one worth looking into is to apply to the Coast Guard for a Certificate of Alternative Compliance. This is intended for vessels of unusual construction such that they cannot for example mount the nav lights exactly in compliance, but still do so albeit not to the parameters set forth in Annex 1. Who knows perhaps the C Guard would allow you to have a constant bright all round light such as a power vessel less than 7 meters doing less than 7 knots per International Rule 23 (c) (iii).
: 2. what kind of lights should one have as running lights ie. these are kept
: on for prolonged periods, let's say when one is paddling along and in a
: shipping lane which sometimes can't be avoided.: 3. what can one do in case one hears and sees a boat bearing directly on
: oneself and begins to feel that the boat's skipper just doesn't see one.
: This can easily happen if in the background there are many white lights,
: on shore for instance.Now we are really dangerous! Crossing traffic seperation schemes at night in a kayak. Rule 10 deals with these, and folks you gotta be careful. Usually unless crossing, there is no reason to be in the TSS. In fact the Rules ask that smaller vessels travel between the TSS lanes and shore, unless they need to cross. Larger vessels are encouraged to use the lanes. When you must cross, do so at as near as possible a 90 degree angle. The problem I see with kayakers at night is that you can't tell how fast a ship is going, Many reach speeds of 20+ knots, and have limited mobility. If you must cross at night be very conservative, carry a bright white all round light to be able to signal. Again you could mount some sort of running lights. A radar reflactor would be very wise also, as ships radar is usually ver good, but in a chop it might not see you.
: Now, I don't think issue #1 has been resolved here at all.
: As for #2 I think the captain has pretty much put this right. This kind of
: lights definitely should be by the book.: But #3 is different. I can't help but thinking that here one should only
: worry about beeing seen, and immediately. Red or white strobe, mini-flare,
: Very pistol,... as long as one gets their attention.I have no issue with taking whatever measures are needed to avoid a collision. If it's clear that a vessel does not see you and you are in danger go for it. Strobes, flares, air horns, do what you have to to save your life. The Rules are in place to avoid collisions, but they allow for a departure if a collision is imminent. My problem lies in the rationalised, willfull disregard of the Rules in using emergency signalling devices as a running light. This is foolish I think.
: A kayaker can hardly count on his own ability to avoid a craft with ten times
: his own speed if the latter is unaware of the kayaker's presence. You may
: be a little off his course to begin with, but will that course stay as it
: is? The guy may suddenly reach for another drink ...By the way there are many slow moving vessels on the water in addition to kayaks. This doesn't give any special rights to deviate from the established Rules. Hey what if we all did our own neat little twist with lights? What if every town you drove through had it's own traffic signals, lights etc? As for the last comment about the drinking, I know it's part of the human need to feel that one's choice of travel is superior to anothers and as such perpetuate the associated prejudices. Sure, some power boaters are incompetent, dangerous, and prone to drinking. Likewise for sailors, trawler folks, and even some professionals. But my friend it is those powerboaters who've saved the lives of many sea kayakers where live who are DRUNK with ignorance. I like kayakers very much, but we need not kid ourselves. We cause problems for others at times due to lack of skill or knowledge.
: The sharpened tones in some of the posts above probably were a result of the
: 3 issues being treated by the various participants and not everyone at all
: times specifying whether is was apples, oranges, or tomatoes they were
: talking about.The sharpened tones from me are a result of my frustration in trying to help fellow paddlers understand things from another perspective. Sometimes I wish folk would shut down the computer, go to the marine store, buy a copy of the Rules, and read them. I guarantee all of you that if you were to sit through Nautical School at some point just for the experience, I think you'd come away with a very different approach to being on the water. Good luck and safe paddling. MH
: I do, however, remain curious about the issues #1 and #3: what can one do in
: these cases?: risto
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